Gerard jointfir
Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Klotzsch & Garcke
Ephedra gerardiana is a perennial shrub in the Ephedraceae family, native to mountainous regions of Afghanistan, Bhutan, northern India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim, Tajikistan, and Tibet. It features fibrous stalks and small yellow flowers, producing round red edible fruits. The plant is used as a stimulant and in Ayurvedic medicine for treating colds, coughs, bronchitis, asthma, and arthritis.
Description
Ephedra gerardiana, described in 1862, is a species of Ephedra found in the mountains of Afghanistan, Bhutan, northern India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim, Tajikistan, and Tibet. It typically grows to a height of 8 inches, though can reach 24 inches. The plant has fibrous stalks, small yellow flowers, and produces round, red, edible fruits. It is used as a stimulant and in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, where its tea is employed to treat colds, coughs, bronchitis, asthma, and arthritis. The species is part of the Ephedraceae family and is known as Gerard jointfir in English.
Other common names
Gerard jointfir
Distribution
Global · Afghanistan · Altay · East Himalaya · Nepal · Pakistan · Qinghai · Tadzhikistan · Tibet · Tuva · West Himalaya · Xinjiang
Synonyms
Ephedra gerardianaEphedra gerardiana var. wallichii
